LOBO Tracker
May 2020 taos.unm.edu
Two UNM-Taos students nominated to esteemed honor society
OUR MISSION at UNM-Taos The University of New Mexico’s Taos Branch is a comprehensive community college with a Mission Statement focused on the unique rural, tri-cultural, historically rich communities it serves: UNM-Taos provides quality educational opportunities that transform the lives of our students, enrich the cultural life of our diverse communities, and strengthen the regional economy.
The Phi Theta Kappa All-State Academic Team — America’s most prestigious academic honor society — recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Caleb Adams (pre-science) and Jeffrey Oxford (general studies) were recognized at the New Mexico All-State Academic Team Recognition Ceremony at the Capitol on Feb. 3. As members of the All-State Team, Adams and Oxford qualify to be named to the prestigious All-USA Academic Team, an academic honor for students attending two-year colleges. AllUSA Academic Team members were selected for their outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, and community and campus engagement.
UNM-Taos is committed to being an educational leader and partner with a mission to provide a high-quality learning environment for all students, pathways to higher education, relevant, rewarding careers, and personal growth opportunities.
FEATURES
MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR
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GRANTS
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CAMPUS METRICS
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work by Jeffrey Oxford
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Message from the Chancellor When I first arrived at UNM-Taos in 2017, I was not sure what to expect. Although I had grown up in a small town, I was moving to Taos from New York City. I was a little nervous, but more than that I was excited to be the next chancellor (then CEO) of UNM-Taos. Throughout my 20 years in higher education, I had worked for colleges, universities, and higher education policy organizations committed to increasing access and success of historically underrepresented students in postsecondary education. Even when attending or working at colleges with low underrepresented student populations, the research and initiatives I was involved in were committed to that goal and principal. Thus, my excitement to lead UNMTaos – an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) dedicated to providing educational opportunities to a community and students who would otherwise not have any local options – came from knowing that all of my education, research, and experience had prepared me for the job. I could sense that UNM-Taos staff, faculty, and students held an optimism and enthusiasm for what lay ahead. In short, we were all dedicated to improving access and student success, and enthusiastically looking forward to the future and the potential that UNM-Taos held. This newsletter, The Lobo Tracker, represents part of that dedication and enthusiasm, and will serve as a key instrument in sharing all the great things the UNM-Taos community is doing. Several initiatives and accomplishments of Lobo students, staff, and faculty are highlighted on these pages and serve as a testament to all things past, present, and future for UNM-Taos. From a new STEM building to future construction of more classrooms; from the establishment of new programs such as Natural Resources Management to the Digital Media Arts growing reputation; from a state-of-the-art, nationally accredited nursing program to receipt of a National Science Foundation grant for a project to increase undergraduate success in math; and from consistent collaboration with the community regarding scholarship, internship, and workforce development, our roots are spreading deeper and getting stronger every year.
Dr. Valdez gives N.M. State Film Office director, Todd Christensen, a tour of the campus.
Our academic and certificate programs and new buildings allow our students and community to aspire to dream big. It’s our commitment to student access, success, and support services initiatives (many funded by state and federal grants) that serve as a testament to our commitment to maintain strong retention and degree completion rates. UNM-Taos’ high-quality learning prepares our students for greatness in their personal, civic, and professional lives. They embody the values and behaviors that make UNM-Taos distinctive. Over the past three years, we have accomplished much together: We have encouraged students to stay local and think global; we have strengthened and increased collaborations with the Town of Taos, Taos County, and several key institutions and organizations; we have hosted state legislative committee meetings; we have added a building and remodeled others; we have reorganized academic affairs and reshaped some academic programs; we have increased internal and external communications; and we have expanded our tutoring, advising, and enrollment efforts. All of these things have strengthened our Lobo pride and add resolve to our purpose. It is this kind of purpose that inspires us all to keep moving forward. This time of isolation and (fully) learning remotely due to a pandemic will pass, and the road to Taos County’s recovery will go through UNM-Taos. I hope the stories in this newsletter inspire us to continue looking forward to the future and potential of UNM-Taos enthusiastically. Sincerely, Patrick L. Valdez, Chancellor, UNM-Taos
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SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATH CENTER (STEM)
The STEM project includes a 10,839 gross square foot single-story addition to the existing 3,995 gross square foot Career Tech Center. It expands the Klauer campus offerings in Biology (non-health sciences), geology, Mathematics and Statistics, Environmental Sciences, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Astronomy, and Technology. The new space allows for a multi-use study space, Math Learning Lab, and faculty/staff offices. In addition, the space houses laboratories for both physical and biological sciences. It also includes classroom spaces for Computer Sciences. The building is designed to complement the architecture of the Klauer campus while providing functionality and flexibility.
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Title V HSI GRANT PROGRAMS Communities Uniting to Model and Build Rural Entrepreneurial Success (CUMBRES) Career Services
• 66 student advising appointments with an average of four visits with each student • 1 Reverse job fair assisted 13 job seekers • 2 Taos High School career fairs • 4 workshops: Résumé building, Microsoft Word, emotional intelligence, job fairs
CAMINOS
• Completed rural internet access station for students and faculty. • Partnered with UNIDOS grant for classroom renovations for upgraded technology. • Quality Matters training opportunities for faculty and stipends for online course development.
Guided Pathways to Success (GPS) CASA
• Hired two full-time faculty • Math department: Established a functional, selfsustaining professional learning community; enhanced interdepartmental collaboration; enabled crossdepartmental consistency; implemented innovative pedagogical strategies, which enhance student learning; and enabled HLC certification of all math instructors. • The Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA) has 15 student para-educators serve students in math, geology, environmental science, biology, emergency medical services, nursing, First Year Experience, and assist math and writing composition instructors who work with students one-on-one or in small groups. • Testing Center and Accessibilities Resource Center continue to provide tutoring services and navigate remote learning.
UNIDOS
• Five years of Equity Institute trainings for more than 30 faculty and staff, and Equity Engagement Grants culminated with the Klauer campus mural. The Equity Group continues to work on campus-wide equity initiatives. • Remote learning technology upgrades and access for students: Zoom technology, smart board technology, Board Learn training, and iClickers.
TRiO Grant
Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) UBMS is a STEM-focused college prep program for low-income and/ or first-generation college bound high school students in the Taos area. The intensive STEM instruction includes academic advising, tutoring, career exploration, internships, and college prep activities. UBMS is in its second grant cycle and eighth year of funding. For 2018-2019 UBMS students, the secondary school retention and graduation rate was 98% and postsecondary enrollment rate was 88%. The 2018 New Mexico state average for secondary school graduation was 73.9% and 75.4% for Taos High School. The 2019 Summer Academy students traveled to Washington, D.C., where they toured George Washington University, the U.S. Capitol, The National Air and Space Museum, The National Museum of Natural History, and saw a production of “Aladdin” at The Kennedy Center.
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USDA NIFA HSI Education Grant Leadership in Forestry Training, 2019-2023
The goal of the LIFT project is to establish UNM-Taos as a regional hub for students to launch natural resources management careers. Program implementation involves: • Articulation agreements with UNM, Albuquerque; NMHU, Las Vegas; NMSU Las Cruces; Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado; Ft. Lewis College, Durango, Colorado; and WCU, Gunnison, Colorado) • Internship/job placement with USFS, BLM, Amigos Bravos, TLT, and RMYC • Student stipends, tutoring, course and transfer advising • Résumé building, interview skills, USAJobs profile • K-12 service-learning activities with Taos’ Rivers & Birds environmental stewardship organization • Degrees: Assoc. of Pre-Science, B.S, and Master’s
Climate Change Corps, 2014-2019
This is a UNM-Taos and NMHU joint-effort to build a natural resources management academic/career track and to foster climate change knowledge. Results include: • Established Natural Resources Management program • 100% job placement of program graduates • 22 Associate degrees in pre-science, 11 B.S. degrees, 10 M.S. degrees • 45 students served (71% Hispanic and/or Native American, 44% first generation, 42% female) • 7 articulation agreements signed • 3 new courses in Natural Resources Management program • 52 internships with nine agencies/organizations • 21 jobs in natural resources management after completion of terminal degree (B.S. or Master’s)
CAREER PATHWAYS FOR TAOS STUDENTS
TRiO Grant
TRiO Grant
Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)
Student Support Services (SSS)
Supports veterans transitioning into postsecondary education in Colfax, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Bernalillo and Taos counties • VUB received a 4.25% increase in funds in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2019. • VUB had a highly successful site visit by the U.S. Department of Education in March 2019 that resulted in an expansion of services to Bernalillo County in January and the addition of a new veteran advisor position in Albuquerque hired in February. • Offers paid and free online resources to enhance academic, career, computer skills, learning and life habits. • Two additional foundation grant awards were received from SEE4Vets for student bridge scholarships and tutoring.
• Over the past four years, 53% of TRiO-SSS students earned an Associate degree or Certificate. • Of those students, 30% transferred to four-year institutions. • For more than five years, a total of $100,000 of grant aid has been awarded directly to program participants — each year $20,000 of the TRiO budget is designated for this purpose.
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Center tops in helping small businesses get off the ground At the New Mexico Small Business Development Center reception, the UNM-Taos SBDC Program (Anwar Kaelin, director) was named the 2019 Program of the Year. Kaelin and staff served 178 clients in Taos County over the last four quarters of 2019 alone. From that, 23 new businesses opened their doors creating 218 new jobs. The Taos center received the award for exceeding state benchmarks — that are given to each center based on population — of business starts, long-term clients, sales increase, capital infusion, jobs created, jobs saved, and jobs supported. “I look forward to every day, having the opportunity to do what I love in my hometown, serving my community,” said Kaelin. “This award is not about me — it’s about my clients, it’s about the entrepreneurs and businesses of Taos County and their willingness to ask for help and take a risk. This award really recognizes the great potential of Taos County businesses.” “The SBDC network is the federal government’s largest and most successful management and technical assistance program for small businesses,” states America’s SBDC Network. In New Mexico, the NMSBDC Network is a program funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the New Mexico State Legislature.
Lindsay Mapes and Anwar Kaelin receiving their awards from NMSBDC.
Sen. Heinrich gives LIFT a lift U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich provided a statement (read by staff representative Dave Nezzie) at the recent orientation for UNM-Taos’ new Leadership in Forestry Training (LIFT) program, a federally funded program, which is part of the UNM-Taos Natural Resources Management program led by Dr. Brook Zanetell. An excerpt: “Dear friends, I wish to recognize those who are the first ones in their families to go to college. By focusing on education, you secured a brighter future for you and your family. Congratulations on achieving this remarkable milestone in your education. I believe everyone should have access to a quality education. In the United States Senate, I am proud to support educational programs that promote programs like the Leadership in Forestry Training program at UNM-Taos.”
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UNM-Taos and Centinel Bank partner to launch inaugural internship/ scholarship program
Centinel Bank of Taos and UNM-Taos are pleased to announce their new Internship and Scholarship Program. This collaboration creates a strong foundation for supporting students in their success in pursuing and completing a degree, as well as gaining exposure to a career and employment. The program will create opportunities for students through education and hands-on training, and will support the local economy by growing a career-ready workforce. Through the program, Centinel Bank will provide scholarships and paid internship opportunities for selected UNM-Taos students who are studying in the areas of accounting, business, customer service, and information technology. The selected student(s) can earn academic credit as well as a paycheck for hours worked (and any eligible benefits), receive tuition support through the bank’s scholarship fund, and gain professional skills while completing job responsibilities, and through Centinel Bank mentorships.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TAOS STUDENTS LOBO Tracker | taos.unm.edu
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HIVE collaboration wins national competition, award The Taos Hub of Internet-based Vocations and Education (HIVE) won a national competition and $100,000 award in August 2019 to launch the first e ducation center and v ocation incubator in Taos, providing access to innovation and entrepreneurial resources that would otherwise not be available to rural citizens. HIVE, adapts the nationally trending internet-based jobs and small business development hub to include UNM-Taos adult education and college classes, and wrap
around supportive services under one roof. HIVE was an idea of the Taos Education and Career Center at UNM-Taos. It provides the education and training, basic supports, job opportunities, and networking needed for upward mobility. HIVE was one out of 10 programs in the country to be selected as a finalist to make a live “pitch” of the proposal at the Minds That Move Us national competition in Miami, Florida. It was also the sole program representing a small, rural community.
UNM-Taos and HIVE host program UNM-Taos’ Hub of Internet-based Vocations and Education (HIVE), a special initiative of UNM-Taos, was selected by New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center® to host BizSprint Taos, an Arrowhead accelerator that is part of the Arrowhead Community Entrepreneurship Program (ACEP). It is designed to launch successful businesses and drive economic growth. BizSprint|Taos supports entrepreneurs by providing participants mentorship, coaching, and financial support. BizSprint|Taos is a five-week business bootcamp for Taos’ export-based startups to test the feasibility of their business idea. Through BizSprint|Taos, participating businesses will receive business development coaching, access to business experts and professional service providers, and up to $2,000 in participant support upon completion of the program.
HIVE chosen to participate in rural initiative Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. (RISI), announced that UNM-Taos’ Hub of Internet-based Vocations and Education (HIVE) was chosen in a highly competitive process to participate in the 2020 Rural Innovation Initiative, a technical assistance program supporting rural communities working to create digital economy jobs with an innovation hub strategy. HIVE will receive EDA-funded technical assistance from Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc., to catalyze entrepreneurship and tech-powered job creation in the Taos area. RISI will work with HIVE and other participants to identify and prepare
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for federal and other funding opportunities that fit their unique attributes and goals. Some 2020 Rural Innovation Initiative communities may choose to apply for federal funding opportunities — such as the Regional Innovation Strategies program — this year if they raise up to $750 thousand in matching funds in the first half of the year. While others will focus first on establishing plans and partnerships to build their digital economy strategies. Participants will also have access to significant technical assistance to refine their economic development strategies, help them identify partnerships, and leverage existing resources. LOBO Tracker | taos.unm.edu
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SHIFTING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PARADIGM
Elizabeth Groginsky, secretary of New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD)
The proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” may never be so true than when it comes to early childhood development. In that vein, The University of New Mexico-Taos hosted a community conversion at its Klauer campus on Feb. 28 with Elizabeth Groginsky, the secretary of New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), on matters related to early childhood education and care. In attendance were about 30 participants representing state and local government — such as state Sen. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, Taos Mayor/state Rep. Dan Barrone and representatives from the offices of U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall — Taos area schools, and many other child/education-related organizations and programs. Listening intently to the participants, Groginsky came away from the conversation impressed with Taos’ community-driven involvement, and a clear sense of needs and concerns.
“What I heard is really focusing on the community. So how do we strengthen the kind of things like Paso a Paso (a network of community organizations serving families with young children, from prenatal to age 8 in Taos and western Colfax counties), and build a cross-sector alignment, both for funding, but also through how we’re working with communities and families?” Groginsky expressed. In January, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham named Groginsky, the first-ever secretary of the new department, after a unanimous confirmation by the New Mexico Senate. Creating the ECECD was one of the highest-profile outcomes of the 2019 legislative session. The Cabinet-level department will bring programs for children from prenatal to age 5 all under one roof to maximize resources and develop a comprehensive plan for early childhood education.
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CAMPUS METRICS UNM-Taos Lobos
Student Outcomes
Source (above): UNM Taos Institutional Research (2020). Source (right): UNM Taos Institutional Research (2020). Retention rate is for the Fall 2018 cohort. The graduation rate is for the Fall 2015 cohort; source U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Feedback Report 2019.
Graduation Rate
FY20 Sources of Revenue
Source (above): UNM Taos Institutional Research (2020).
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UNM-Taos students, faculty and staff participate in TRiO Day at state Capitol TRiO Day is a dedicated time for celebration, reflection and action around increased access to higher education for disadvantaged students. Federal TRiO programs help low-income, first-generation students and individuals with disabilities enter college and earn a degree. In New Mexico, there are 33 TRiO Programs that bring in more than $11 million in federal funding and serve nearly 8,000 students. UNM-Taos has three TRiO programs: Upward Bound Math and Science, Veterans Upward Bound and Student Support Services. Combined, these programs serve more than 330 students. For New Mexico TRiO Day 2020, held on Jan. 31, TRiO students and staff gathered together at Santa Fe Community College for student leadership workshops and staff professional development. At the state Capitol, Rep. Angelica Rubio sponsored the TRiO Day 2020 Proclamation. In the afternoon, TRiO students and staff joined Rubio and several educational liaisons in the state Capitol Rotunda to celebrate and discuss the power of TRiO programs. This year, Dr. Katie Bryant (UNM-Taos Upward Bound Math and Science director) served as the New Mexico TRiO Day committee chair.
Veterans Upward Bound receives grant The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program at UNM-Taos was honored to receive a grant from Support, Education & Employment for Veterans (S.E.E.4Vets) to pilot a veteran tutoring program and scholarships for graduating VUB students. Ray Torres of S.E.E.4Vets came to Taos on the snowy morning of Oct. 30, 2019, for a celebration and formal check presentation.
UNM-Taos VUB, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is the only Federal TRiO Program in New Mexico specifically designed for veterans. VUB is free and fosters the skills and motivation necessary for veterans to enter and succeed in post-secondary education at the school of their choice.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO - TAOS STAY LOCAL. THINK GLOBAL. GO LOBOS! taos.unm.edu
Lights, camera, success The UNM-Taos Film and Digital Media Arts program hosted Todd Christensen, New Mexico State Film Office director, to campus on Feb. 21. Christensen presented the FDMA program with a $19,800 check from the NMFO’s Give Back Program, wherein large-scale productions filmed in the state give a percentage of their budget to support New Mexico film and media programs. FDMA check funds came primarily from the production of the “Breaking Bad” spinoff movie “El Camino.” The funds, said DMA department chair/instructor Peter Walker, will be used for “anything that helps expand the program.” By providing a solid foundation in technology, state-of-the-art equipment, a rich creative background in the arts, and the communication skills needed to convey ideas in the digital realm, the FDMA program prepares students for all kinds of film-related positions. FDMA designed the two-year associate program to develop the skills needed to pursue careers in not just the film industry but in graphic arts, publishing, web production, animation, gaming, augmented reality, 3-D modeling, television, and more. “Careers in the film industry are available,” Christensen stressed. “You just need to get an education, be persistent and get in the door.”
Student-driven mural celebrates diversity Last August, The University of New Mexico-Taos embarked on a campus-wide project to create a large-scale outdoor mural representing the cultural diversity of the student population. The completed mural, “The Dance,” — that features sacred elements of Northern New Mexico and cultural diversity — can be seen on the south wall of the art department at the Klauer campus. Taos artist and educator Amy Córdova y Boone provided her original painting as a guide, which was then painted on the wall by students and some staff supervised on-site by internationally recognized muralist Jenny Roesel.
Córdova y Boone first met with students to develop a unified vision for the project. Their inspiration was Pulitzer Prize-winning author N. Scott Momaday’s “The Delight Song of Tsoai-talee,” in which the Kiowa poet portrays his culture.
The mural project was unveiled on Oct. 14, 2019. It is an outcome of a federal Title V: Hispanic Serving Institution cooperative grant awarded in 2014 to UNM-Taos, New Mexico Highlands University and Adams State University.